The campsite where I stayed with others was suddenly surrounded by a group of people without us realizing it.
In the middle of a quiet night, a tragedy occurred unnoticed. One by one, my friends were poisoned by dozens of mysterious figures who crept around them. The poison worked fast, rendering them unconscious.
The only one who survived that night was Jack.
He wasn't in the tent when it all happened. Fate saved him—though at a steep price: loneliness and loss.
Jack stood stiffly behind a bush, his eyes scanning the darkness of the night lit only by the dim glow of a dying campfire.
The footsteps grew louder—slow... but certain.
His heartbeat quickened, and sweat began to drip from his temple despite the cold air.
"Who's there?" he whispered softly, but there was no reply.
Jack slowly reached for the small knife he always kept tucked at his waist. He took a few steps back.
They slipped between the trees, following the direction of the sound. The atmosphere grew more tense. Even the sounds of the night insects seemed to vanish.
Suddenly, from behind the trees, came the sound of snapping twigs.
Jack saw it, ready to act. But he quickly aborted the plan upon realizing there weren't just one—but dozens—in front of him.
Jack turned back and hid again. "Good thing I wasn't reckless," he thought to himself, trying to calm his trembling body.
Then it was my turn to be poisoned. Before I could act or even become aware, they had already knocked me unconscious without resistance. All of us were then carried away by the attackers. Our bodies were tied up, our mouths gagged with rough rope, and we were taken into the darkness—I had no idea where to.
Jack couldn't do anything. After everyone had been carried far into the darkness, Jack began gathering the remaining belongings and clothes left in the tents.
Night turned to morning, sunlight pierced through the trees. Jack, who hadn't been able to sleep all night, now walked with a heavy heart. He followed the river's path, anxiety filling his chest. Only one hope kept him going—to find answers, or perhaps, a sliver of help.
Fortunately, this land was his childhood home—Greenland. He knew well the secret paths and the way back to his village.
By midday, after traveling for half a day, Jack finally arrived at his birthplace.
But his steps halted. His village had changed.
Old and young women alike looked busy—carrying crops, hoeing the fields, working under pressure that showed clearly on their faces. No smiles. Only exhaustion and fear.
Jack quickly covered himself with a faded brown cloak. He kept his head down, sneaking around and avoiding crowds.
As evening approached, Jack stood silently at a corner of the village, waiting near the home of an old woman he had known since childhood.
When the woman walked home, Jack gathered his courage and approached her.
"Excuse me... Aunt Grace?"
The woman stared at him for a moment. Her face showed surprise, but then she quickly grabbed Jack's hand and pulled him into her small wooden house.
BRAAKKKK
Aunt Grace shut the door firmly.
"Jack... is that you?!" she said with joy.
"I knew it was you, even hiding behind that ragged cloak."
Aunt Grace had been a loyal servant of Jack's family in his childhood. Behind her age and wrinkled face, the same warmth remained.
That night, Aunt Grace began to tell him what had been happening.
"Greenland has become a hidden hell. All the men young and old have been abducted by a cruel organization calling themselves the Black of Predator," she began.
"That group is led by a ruthless figure known as Predator, and was founded by a cunning mastermind called Jester," she continued.
The entire region where Jack once lived had fallen into their hands. Aunt Grace herself was now a forced laborer, made to serve and work for the organization's economy.
"Not just this village. Almost all of Greenland is under their control. They have thousands of soldiers, spread across every region."
"Isn't there anything left, Aunt?" Jack asked, hopeful.
"Wait a moment." Aunt Grace furrowed her brow.
"There is... there's one place left, Jack," she said.
"The Water Nation, a bit far from here. They're still holding on. Go there. You must seek help, or at least... safety."
-To be continued.
Next Chap: Black Of Predator #2